Personal Control Apparatus And Method For Sharing Information In A Collaborative Workspace

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device, when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state and when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the presentation of audiovisual information via one or more large format common displays in a collaborative workspace and more specifically to a fast and intuitive controller allowing a meeting participant with a laptop computer to quickly and easily control the presentation of laptop information on common displays.

Small group conference tables usable as collaborative workspaces have been designed with one or more large video displays such as a LCD flat-panel monitor or a wall suitable for having images projected thereon, connected to or adjacent the conference table. The basic intent behind such workspace designs is to provide information at or near a table edge for attendees to refer to during discussions and presentations. In many cases, the video display is connected to and driven by a dedicated computer.

Oftentimes, more than one attendee needs to be able to control the information presented on the video display at different times during a conference. One way to allow several attendees to present information on a video display screen is to have each presenter sequentially connect their laptop computer directly to the display or projector with a dedicated audio/video cable. Though straightforward and simple, having to repeatedly disconnect and connect the cable from one laptop computer to another takes time and is disruptive.

Another way of enabling several attendees to share audiovisual information from their own laptop computers via a common large video display screen is to provide separate audio/video cables for each presenter and connect each of the laptops to an audiovisual switching device that enables the attendees to take control of the common display screen via selection of a button associated with each of the audio/video cables.

While such an arrangement provide a relatively quick transition between presenters, such arrangements typically require a separate controller or control program and a number of less-than-intuitive steps that must be followed to transition from one presenter to another. Further, known such arrangements do not provide a quick and intuitive indication as to which presenter is sharing their information via the video display screen. As a result, meeting presenters and participants may experience confusion and delay between transitions. Such user experiences may result in a loss of productivity and in general, can be significant impediments to the successful collaboration between conference participants and willingness of participants to use the system.

Thus, while solutions for managing and controlling the flow of information from interconnected computing devices have been developed, known solutions do not provide simple and intuitive steps for selecting which information is shared via the video display and for indicating which of several video/audio resources currently control presented information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that a simple control interface may be provided where the interface provides feedback to configuration users indicating which of several different conference attendees is presenting information via one or more common display screens or presentation spaces. To this end, a separate control interface is provided for each of a plurality of attendees where each interface includes control buttons or the like and indicators that can indicate visually distinguished states. For instance, when a laptop or other video/audio source is linked to one of the control interfaces, the interface may visually indicate that the laptop is in a state wherein the laptop may be used to present information via one or more common displays but that the laptop is not currently presenting. When a user selects one of the buttons on the interface to present information on the common display, the indicator may change appearance to visually indicate to attendees that the laptop linked to the interface is presenting.

It has also been recognized that where a configuration includes more than one common display, it would be useful to provide an indication to each configuration user as to common display options which can be selected and which common displays are currently being driven via a user's laptop or other source. To this end, in at least some cases each control interface is configured to include a separate selectable buttons for each common display where, when a button is selected so that a source associated with the interface is to drive an associated display, the appearance of the button or an indicator associated therewith is modified to indicate to the user which of the common displays is currently being driven. In particularly advantageous embodiments the indicators include illumination devices wherein different illumination colors indicate different states or conditions.

Consistent with the above, at least some inventive embodiments include a method of selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device, when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state and, when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.

In at least some cases the step of providing a selectable control interface includes providing a mechanical interface that includes at least one selectable button. In at least some cases the mechanical interface includes a first cable linkable to the video source and a second cable which links to the switching device and wherein the step of associating a video source with the switching device includes linking the first cable to the video source. In at least some cases the indicator includes at least a first illumination device wherein the steps of causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first and second states includes causing the illumination device to light up first and second different colors, respectively.

In at least some cases the control interface forms a substantially flat upper surface and wherein the at least a first illumination device transmits light around a periphery of the flat upper surface. In at least some embodiments the method further includes the step of, while the video information from the video source is provided to the shared display screen via the switching device, when the selectable control interface is selected a second time, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first state and blocking the video information from the video source to the shared display screen via the switching device.

In at least some cases the method is for use with a system that includes a plurality of common display screens wherein the selectable control interface includes a separate selectable control for each of the plurality of display screens and wherein the at least one indicator includes a separate illumination device for each of the separate selectable controls, the step of causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first state including causing each illumination device associated with a common display screen to generate light of a first color indicating the first state and wherein, when any one of the control interfaces is selected, the method further includes the steps of causing the illumination device associated with the selected control to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen associated with the selected control.

In at least some embodiments the method further includes the steps of providing a second selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a second video source with the switching device so that video information from the second video source is presented to the switching device, when the second video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator on the second control interface to indicate the first state and when the second selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator on the second control interface to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the second video source to the common display screen via the switching device irrespective of which source was providing video information to the common display screen prior to selection of the second selectable control interface device.

In some embodiments the video source is a computer including a display screen and wherein the control interface appears on the computer display screen for selection. In some embodiments communication between the computer and the switching device is wireless.

Other embodiments include a method of selecting information from a video source to be displayed on a subset of M common display screens in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a control interface that includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually distinguishable states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device and when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing a separate indicator for each of the M common display screens to assume the second visual state while the other N-M indicators remain in the first visual state.

In some embodiments each control includes a separate illumination device which may be illuminated to indicate at least one of the first and second states. In some embodiments each control indicates the second state by exciting an associated illumination device and indicates the first state by cutting off power to the illumination device. In some embodiments each of the indicators may assume a third visually distinguishable state, the method further including the steps of, when any of the selectable controls is selected, causing the indicator associated with the selected control to indicate the third state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.

In some embodiments the control interface is provided via a representation on a computer display screen. In some embodiments the step of providing a control interface includes providing a mechanical interface that includes a cable and wherein the step of associating a video source with the switching device includes linking the video source to the mechanical interface via a cable.

Still other embodiments include an apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the apparatus comprising a control interface that includes at least a first indicator that can visually indicate at least first, second and third visually distinguished states wherein the control interface indicates the first state when a video source is disassociated with the switching device, the second state when the video source is associated with the switching device and video information from the video source is not presented via the common display and the third state when the video source is associated with the switching device and video information from the video source is presented via the common display.

In some embodiments the at least a first indicator includes an illumination device and wherein the first state is indicated by cutting power to the illumination device, the second state is indicated via illumination of a first color and the second state is indicated via illumination of a second color. In some embodiments the control interface includes at least a first selectable control which, when selected, causes the video information from the video source to be presented via the common display and causes the indicator to change from the first state to the second state.

Other embodiments include an apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on a subset of M common display screens in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the apparatus comprising a control interface that includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually distinguishable states, wherein, when a video source is not associated with the switching device, each indicator indicates the first state and, when a video source is associated with the switching device, a separate indicator for each of the M common display screens assumes the second state while the other N-M indicators remain in the first state.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collaborative conference table configuration having four display screens in accordance with at least some aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, albeit where a switcher and other components and cables that are typically hidden under the top surface of FIG. 1 are shown in perspective views;

FIG. 3 includes a top plan view, end views and a side view of the switcher shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing one of the puck control assemblies that comprises a portion of the configurations shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating components of an exemplary control interface/puck;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating the puck control assembly of FIG. 4 and a power on button in the first state after the power on button has been selected to cause the system to begin operation;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary screen shot corresponding to a portion of an instructional video that may be presented via one or more of the displays shown in FIG. 1 after the power on button is selected;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, albeit illustrating a different portion of the instructional video;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7, albeit illustrating yet a different portion of the instructional video;

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 6, albeit illustrating the state of the puck when a laptop is initially connected thereto;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, albeit illustrating the state of the puck after a selection button corresponding to one of the display screens of FIG. 1 has been selected;

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, albeit illustrating the puck condition after three buttons corresponding to three of the display screens shown in FIG. 1 have been selected;

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 1, albeit illustrating another configuration embodiment as consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 10, albeit illustrating the puck condition for the system of FIG. 12 where the system only includes two displays;

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 1, albeit illustrating a system that includes a wireless access device so that laptops and other video/audio sources can link provide data to the displays wirelessly;

FIG. 16 shows a puck “widget” that may be presented via a laptop display screen;

FIG. 17 shows a puck “widget” provided on a touch sensitive palm type computing device;

FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 16, albeit showing a different appearing virtual control interface; and

FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 15, albeit where a mechanical interface is included for use with a source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals correspond to similar elements throughout the several views and more specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, one embodiment of a collaborative workspace configuration 10 that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention is illustrated. Workspace configuration 10 includes a display system 12 and a conference table assembly 14. Various mechanical aspects of configuration 10 are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/250,192 that was filed on Oct. 13, 2008 and is titled “Conference Display Configuration” and which is incorporated herein by reference. Hereafter, general mechanical features of the configuration 10 are described that are useful in understanding operation of the current invention. The prior application referenced above should be referred to for more detail regarding the mechanical aspects of configuration 10.

Display system 12 includes a totem or stand support structure 28 and four relatively large flat panel displays 22 a, 22 b, 22 c and 22 d. Totem 28 is vertically oriented and includes a front facing surface 32 to which displays 22 a through 22 d are mounted. Displays 22 a through 22 d are arranged so that viewing or presentation surfaces face in the same direction and generally away from totem 28. Displays 22 a through 22 d are arranged in a two row and two column arrangement. Although not illustrated, totem 28 includes a housing that forms a cavity in which power and data cables can be received to provide power/data to display 22 a through 22 d.

Conference table assembly 14 includes a support structure 24, a table top member 26 and a bridge assembly 30. Support structure 24 generally forms a vertical leg to support top member 26 in a horizontal orientation. Structure 24 also forms an internal cavity for receiving various power, data and communication components as well as other mechanical components such as cable take up subassemblies described in the co-pending patent application referenced above.

Bridge assembly 30 secures totem 28 to support structure 24 to stabilize totem in a vertical orientation. In addition, although not illustrated, bridge assembly 30 forms an internal channel or cavity for passing power and/or data cables between structure 24 and totem 28.

Top member 26 is generally a rigid square flat member that forms a top work surface and a central rectilinear opening. A dual door assembly 36 is mounted within the central opening that includes two door members 39, 41 that have top surfaces that are flush with the top surface of member 26 when the doors are closed. Each door in hinged to open to allow access to table components there below. Together the doors are dimensioned so that when closed as best seen in FIG. 4, each door 39 and 41 forms a gap (see 43 and 45) with the opening around a peripheral edge for passing cables.

Referring still to FIG. 4, adjacent the doors 39 and 41 at the edge of the central opening an illuminated button 64 is provided. Although not illustrated, button 64 is linked to a power source. Button 64 is a dual state push button and, in at lease some embodiments, is illuminated all the time. In some embodiments, button 64 may include a universal power indicator symbol indicating to users that the table is powered. By illuminating button 64 even when the table configuration 10 is not being used, the button invites users to start up a conferencing session and is an indicator that the configuration 10 is operable and ready to use. When not in use button 64 will have a first illuminated color (e.g., white) and when button 64 is selected, the button will be illuminated in a second color (e.g., green) confirming for the user that the button has been selected.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, components mounted within structure 24 below top member 26 include a switching device 16, a user interface assembly 19 and a power source 55. Referring also to FIG. 3, where switching device 16 is shown in four different views, switching device 16, as the label implies, can be used to switch different input video/audio sources at different input ports to change which input is feeding video/audio output ports. To this end, exemplary switching device 16 includes six input ports collectively identified by numeral 17 (three on either end of device 16), a video conference input port 42, and a PC input port 40. Device 16 includes four video/audio output ports collectively labeled 44. In operation, switching device 16 can be controlled to output video/audio from any one of the input ports 17, 40 or 42 to any one or more of output ports 44. In addition, switching device 16 is controllable so that input from two, three or four of the different inputs 17, 40 or 42 can be output simultaneously to different ones of the output ports 44.

Referring again to FIG. 2, interface assembly 19 includes a deck member 21 and six selectable control interfaces referred to as “puck” assemblies, two of which are labeled 20. Deck member 21 forms a top surface 25 for receiving and supporting the puck assemblies 20 when the puck assemblies are in stored positions below covers 39 and 41 (see again FIG. 1). Each puck assembly 20 is similarly constructed and operated in a similar fashion and therefore, in the interest of simplifying this explanation, only one puck assembly 20 will be described here in detail.

Referring also to FIG. 4, exemplary puck assembly 20 includes a puck 48 and first and second video/audio cables 50 and 52, respectively. Cable 50 is used to link puck 48 to a computer/laptop audio/video output port or other video source while cable 52 links puck 48 through a circuitous path to one of the six input ports 17 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In at least some embodiments, each cable 52 can be taken up by a take up assembly (not shown) below deck member 21 as an associated puck 48 is moved from a use position on top of top member 26 (see FIG. 4) to a storage position as shown in FIG. 2. For more detail regarding one possible take up assembly, see US patent application Ser. No. 12/250,192 referenced above. As seen in FIG. 4, when a puck 48 is pulled into a use position on top of member 26, cable 52 can pass through gap 43 when door 39 is closed.

Referring still to FIG. 4 and also to FIG. 5, exemplary puck 48 includes a disc or puck shaped housing 49 that supports a plurality of components including a processor 71, an on/off button 58, first through fourth selectable controls or control buttons 60 a-60 d, four illumination devices 73 a through 73 d and an illumination ring 56. Processor 71 may be a programmable microprocessor or may be configured via digital components. Processor 71 is linked to each of cables 50 and 52 and can sense when cabled 50 is linked to a video/audio source. Processor 50 is also linked to each of buttons 56 and 60 a-60 d to sense when any of those buttons are selected. Processor 50 is further linked to each of illumination devices 73 a through 73 d and ring 56 for providing power to and cutting power from each of those devices.

In at least some embodiments each of illumination devices 73 a-73 d and ring 56 can be controlled to generate light in two different colors such as white and green or can be dark so that at least two or three different states can be indicated in visually distinguished ways.

As seen in FIG. 4, each button 60 a-60 d has a different number 1, 2, 3 or 4 indicated thereon. Here, each number 1, 2, 3 or 4 corresponds to a different one of the display screens 22 a through 22 d in FIG. 1. For instance, button 60 a labeled “1” may correspond to screen 22 a, button 60 b labeled “2” may correspond to screen 22 b, and so on.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, processor 71 is programmed or configured to determine when a video source is linked to cable 50 as well as when any of buttons 58 or 60 a-60 d is selected and to indicate a current state of the puck and associated video source via the illumination devices 73 a-73 d and ring 56 for the benefit of both the puck user and others gathered around configuration 10. In addition, processor 71 provides an indication of the display configuration 12 to the puck user. In this regard, in a system including four displays (e.g., the number of common displays is M) as in FIG. 1, all four screen selection buttons 60 a-60 d (where N is the number of selection buttons) may be illuminated prior to selection to indicate four options that can be selected by the puck user. Where another configuration includes less than four displays, only a subset of buttons 60 a-60 d would be illuminated prior to selection. For instance, in FIG. 2, where the configuration only includes two displays and hence there are only two display options, only buttons 60 a and 60 b would be illuminated prior to selection to indicate only two options to select from. Here, switching device 16 may be configured to sense the number of output ports 44 to which display screens 22 a-22 d or other output devices (e.g., projectors) are linked and provide a feedback signal via cable 52 to processor 71 to indicate the number of buttons 60 a-60 d to illuminate.

In at least some embodiments the top surface of puck 48 may be formed of a black plastic where, when a button 60 a-60 d is not illuminated, the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 appears dark and blends in with the top puck surface so that the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 is essentially unnoticeable.

By providing a puck 48 that includes four screen selection buttons 60 a-60 d, a single puck type may be manufactured that can be used with any conferencing configuration including one, two, three or four common displays which reduces design and manufacturing costs appreciably.

Referring again to FIG. 4, ring 56 is a ring shaped member disposed generally along a circumferential edge of the top surface of the puck 48. because puck 48 has a generally low profile, light from ring 56 is relatively easily viewable from all directions above top member 26. Thus, from any vantage point above top member 26 conference participants can see the visual state of ring 56.

While controls 60 a-60 d are described here as buttons, it should be appreciated that controls 60 a-60 d may take any of several different forms. For instance, controls 60 a-60 d may be provided via a touch sensitive interface surface including a separately selectable location or area associated with each button 60 a through 60 d.

In at least some embodiments ring 56 is not illuminated until a video/audio source (e.g., a laptop) is linked to cable 50. Once a source is linked to cable 50, if the linked source is supplying video/audio to one or more of displays 22 a-22 d (see FIG. 1), ring 56 is illuminated in one color (e.g., white) and if the linked source is not currently driving any of displays 22 a-22 d, ring 56 is illuminated in a second color (e.g., green). Thus, ring 56 is useful as an indicator to conference participants around table top 26 that identifies the person or persons that are currently displaying information on one or more of the common displays 22 a-22 d.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 4, after a laptop or other video/audio source is linked to cable 50 to provide video via cable 50 to display 22 a, button 60 a is selected, to provide video to display 22 b, button 60 b is selected, and so on. Prior to each of buttons 60 a-60 d being selected, in at least some embodiments, the buttons 60 a-60 d are not illuminated. In other embodiments, prior to selection, each button 60 a-60 d may be illuminated, like ring 56, in one color and after selections, each selected button may change to a second illuminated color to distinguish selected from unselected buttons 60 a-60 d.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, central button 58 is provided as an on/off button which may be selected by a puck user to effectively cut off the user's linked laptop or other source from driving displays 22 a-22 d. Thus, where a laptop is linked to cable 50 but a user does not want to inadvertently present laptop information via the common displays, the user can simply press button 58 to render puck 48 ineffective at passing on video/audio to the displays. Here, when button 58 is selected to “turn off” the puck 48, ring 56 and buttons 60 a-60 d, in at lease some cases, are no longer illuminated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, prior to any laptop or other source being linked to configuration 10 to drive displays 22 a-22 d, indicator button 64 may be illuminated with a white color to indicate to persons in the vicinity that configuration 10 is powered and ready for use. Hereinafter, a white light will be indicated in the figures via a double hatch (see 64 in FIG. 4) and a green light will be indicated via a single hatch (see 64 in FIG. 6). When a person wants to use configuration 10, the person presses button 64 which causes button 64 to change from white to green as shown in FIG. 6 to signal to the person that the system is powering up.

In addition, when button 64 is pressed, in at least some embodiments, a short video clip is presented via one or more of displays 22 a-22 d providing simple instructions to the person who pressed button 64 regarding how to use configuration 10. Referring to FIGS. 7-9, exemplary screen shots showing images consistent with a simple instruction video are illustrated. In FIG. 7, a graphic of the utility bay door 39 opening 51 adjacent a laptop image 53 (i.e., a source image) is shown to indicate that one of the doors 37 or 41 (see FIG. 1) should be opened. In FIG. 8 a puck 57 is shown moving out of the cavity under the door 51 and onto the work surface where the cable 59 associated with the puck is linked to the laptop 53. In FIG. 9 a phantom user's hand image 61 is shown moving toward and over the puck image 57 to select one of the buttons provided thereby. Here, the instructional video clip is intentionally extremely simplified and includes only three steps “open”, “connect” and “share.” In at least some embodiments the instructions are only provided once and the duration is extremely short (e.g., approximately 15 seconds) which gives a user a sense that configuration 10 is particularly easy to use.

Following the instructions, as shown in FIG. 10, a user pulls one of the pucks 48 from the cavity below a door 39 or 41 and links a laptop 69 to the puck 48 via cable 50 (see also FIG. 1). Once a laptop 69 is linked to cable 50, ring 59 as well as selectable buttons 60 a-60 d are illuminated white (see double crosshatch in FIG. 9) to indicate to the laptop user that the user is linked and can opt to present information from the user's laptop screen via any one or combination of displays 22 a-22 d corresponding to illuminated buttons 60 a-60 d, respectively. Here, the white light ring 56 also indicates that currently the user of puck 48 is not presenting via any of displays 22 a-22 d.

Referring to FIG. 11, when a puck user wants to present information from her laptop 69 display via display screen 22 a, the user presses button 60 a to indicate intention to drive display 22 a. Once button 60 a is selected, four things happen. First, information currently displayed via display 22 a is replaced by the information from the user's laptop 69 display. Second, if a different laptop was previously presenting information via display 22 a when button 60 a is selected, the other user's puck illumination may change. For instance, if the other user was only displaying via display 22 a when displaced, the other user's puck's ring 56 will change from green back to white illumination indicating the user is no longer driving any of displays 22 a-22 d. As another instance, where another user was driving each of displays 22 a and 22 c when button 60 a is selected, the other user's puck ring will remain green after displacement from screen 22 a to indicate that the other user is still driving display 22 c despite being displaced from display 22 a. In addition, in this case, the other user's puck button 60 a will be illuminated white after displacement from screen 22 a while button 60 c will remain green indicating that the other user is still driving display 22 c.

Third, to indicate that the user of puck 48 in FIG. 10 is now driving at least one of displays 22 a-22 d, ring 56 on puck 48 changes from white to green (see single cross hatch ring in FIG. 10). Fourth, to let the puck user know which displays 22 a-22 d she is currently driving, button 60 a illumination changes from white to green. Here, other buttons 60 b-60 d that were not selected remain white (i.e., they are shown as double cross hatched).

If the user next wants to display her laptop information via displays 22 a-22 c, referring to FIG. 12, the user selects button 60 b and 60 c which cause information from the user's laptop screen to replace any existing information on displays 22 b and 22 c, causes other puck illumination to change accordingly and causes buttons 60 b and 60 c to change from white to green illumination. At this point, as shown in FIG. 12, each of buttons 60 a-60 c and ring 56 are illuminated green while button 60 d remains white.

To relinquish control of a display 22 a-22 d currently controlled, in at least some embodiments, the button 22 a-22 d corresponding to a display 22 a-22 d can be selected a second time. In the iterative, to relinquish control of displays 22 a-22 d, on/off button 58 may be selected. Once display control is relinquished, puck 48 illumination is updated accordingly.

After a configuration session is over and all sources have been disconnected from cables 50, the system will eventually time out (e.g., approximately 15 minutes) and will power down so that button 64 returns to its white illuminated state (see again FIG. 4).

Referring now to FIG. 13, a second configuration 10 a that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention is illustrated. Configuration 10 a is different than configuration 10 in two general ways. First, configuration 10 has an oval table shape top member 260 as opposed to rectangular. Second, configuration 10 includes only two displays 122 a and 122 d instead of four. Here, referring also to FIG. 14, in at least some embodiments, it is contemplated that when a laptop 69 is linked to a puck 48 initially so ring 56 is illuminated white, only buttons 60 a and 60 b would illuminate white thereby indicating to a user that there are only two display choices 122 a and 122 b instead of four. Other operation of configuration 10 a is similar to that described above.

Referring now to FIG. 15, in at least some embodiments it is contemplated that laptops 69 and other visual/audio sources may be able to wirelessly link up to a configuration 10 b processor via a wireless access device 100 or the like. In this case the configuration 10 b may not need a utility bay and will not require cable hookups or physical pucks. Here, where a source 69 is associated with the configuration for control purposes, referring also to FIG. 16, a software “widget” puck representation or control interface representation (hereafter a “widget”) 48 a may be provided on screen. In this case it is contemplated that the widget 48 a will have an appearance similar to the appearance of interface 60 and button 58 where different widget areas corresponding to buttons 60 a-60 d and 58 will be selectable via a mouse controlled cursor or touch (in the case of a touch sensitive display) for selection. In this case it is contemplated that when a virtual button on the widget is selected, the functionality and illumination described above with respect to puck 48 would occur. When the widget ring 56 is illuminated, the laptop could beep or buzz (i.e., create an audible signal of some type) to indicate which laptop has taken control.

In yet another embodiment where a laptop source user has a touch screen phone or other palm type computing device in addition to the laptop/source, a widget may be provided via the palm type device where the widget size can be enlarged to include much of the display. To this end see FIG. 17 that shows a palm type device 120 that includes a large touch screen where a virtual puck palm device 120 and laptop 69 would have to be associated in some way so that palm device control would cause the correct/associated laptop information to drive appropriate displays 22 a-22 d.

In a wireless system where a widget or virtual control interface is presented via a display screen, the control interface may take any of several different forms. For instance, where a configuration includes four common displays (see FIG. 1), the control interface 130 may have an appearance as in FIG. 18 that shows screen selections in a pattern that mimics the pattern of the four display screens 22 a-22 d. Where a system includes only two displays (see FIG. 13), the virtual control interface may only include an image of two selectable displays, and so on.

Referring to FIG. 19, in wireless embodiments, a mechanical control interface 140 akin to puck 48 described above may be provided where the interface 140 links to a USB port or the like on a laptop 69. Here, interface 140 operates in the same fashion as puck 48 described above except that control signals from interface 140 are provided to a switching device wirelessly through the laptop. In this case interface 140 still provides a visual queue to conference participants using configuration 10 b indicating which laptop(s)/source(s) is being used to drive the displays.

In some embodiments one or more projectors (not illustrated) may replace the displays 22 a-22 d. Where a system includes a single projector, the projected image may be divided into two, four, etc., separate presentation spaces where each switching device output 44 drives a different one of the presentation spaces so that multiple sources can be used to display in different spaces simultaneously.

Several specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

For example, while the pucks 48 described above include illumination devices controllable to indicate different states, it should be appreciated that other indicators that can visually distinguish states are contemplated. For instance, each button 60 a-60 d in FIG. 4 may include a liquid crystal display type device where different cross hatching indicates different statuses. As another example, in at least some embodiments it is contemplated that each time a presentation state changes, a puck or other system component may generate an audible signal to indicate a state change (see audio generator 77 in FIG. 5). In addition, while the embodiments illustrated include two or four displays supported by a totem, it should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments are only exemplary and that other numbers of displays may be supported by a totem or that displays may in some cases be mounted to a wall or other supporting structure proximate a conferencing table.

Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims. 

1. A method of selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states; associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device; when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state; and when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a selectable control interface includes providing a mechanical interface that includes at least one selectable button.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the mechanical interface includes a first cable linkable to the video source and a second cable which links to the switching device and wherein the step of associating a video source with the switching device includes linking the first cable to the video source.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the indicator includes at least a first illumination device wherein the steps of causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first and second states includes causing the illumination device to light up first and second different colors, respectively.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the control interface forms a substantially flat upper surface and wherein the at least a first illumination device transmits light around a periphery of the flat upper surface.
 6. The method of claim 1 further including the step of, while the video information from the video source is provided to the shared display screen via the switching device, when the selectable control interface is selected a second time, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first state and blocking the video information from the video source to the shared display screen via the switching device.
 7. The method of claim 1 for use with a system that includes a plurality of common display screens wherein the selectable control interface includes a separate selectable control for each of the plurality of display screens and wherein the at least one indicator includes a separate illumination device for each of the separate selectable controls, the step of causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first state including causing each illumination device associated with a common display screen to generate light of a first color indicating the first state and wherein, when any one of the control interfaces is selected, the method further includes the steps of: causing the illumination device associated with the selected control to indicate the second state; and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen associated with the selected control.
 8. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of providing a second selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states; associating a second video source with the switching device so that video information from the second video source is presented to the switching device; when the second video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator on the second control interface to indicate the first state; and when the second selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator on the second control interface to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the second video source to the common display screen via the switching device irrespective of which source was providing video information to the common display screen prior to selection of the second selectable control interface device.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the video source is a computer including a display screen and wherein the control interface appears on the computer display screen for selection.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein communication between the computer and the switching device is wireless.
 11. A method of selecting information from a video source to be displayed on a subset of M common display screens in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a control interface that includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually distinguishable states; associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device; and when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing a separate indicator for each of the M common display screens to assume the second visual state while the other N-M indicators remain in the first visual state.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein each control includes a separate illumination device which may be illuminated to indicate at least one of the first and second states.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein each control indicates the second state by exciting an associated illumination device and indicates the first state by cutting off power to the illumination device.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the indicators may assume a third visually distinguishable state, the method further including the steps of, when any of the selectable controls is selected, causing the indicator associated with the selected control to indicate the third state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the control interface is provided via a representation on a computer display screen.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a control interface includes providing a mechanical interface that includes a cable and wherein the step of associating a video source with the switching device includes linking the video source to the mechanical interface via a cable.
 17. An apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the apparatus comprising: a control interface that includes at least a first indicator that can visually indicate at least first, second and third visually distinguished states wherein the control interface indicates the first state when a video source is disassociated with the switching device, the second state when the video source is associated with the switching device and video information from the video source is not presented via the common display and the third state when the video source is associated with the switching device and video information from the video source is presented via the common display.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least a first indicator includes an illumination device and wherein the first state is indicated by cutting power to the illumination device, the second state is indicated via illumination of a first color and the second state is indicated via illumination of a second color.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control interface includes at least a first selectable control which, when selected, causes the video information from the video source to be presented via the common display and causes the indicator to change from the first state to the second state.
 20. An apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on a subset of M common display screens in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the apparatus comprising: a control interface that includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually distinguishable states, wherein, when a video source is not associated with the switching device, each indicator indicates the first state and, when a video source is associated with the switching device, a separate indicator for each of the M common display screens assumes the second state while the other N-M indicators remain in the first state. 